Jameson Taillon throws one-hit shutout, Pirates beat Reds 5-0

Folks around the game of baseball have long though highly of Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jameson Taillon. There’s a reason why he was the #2 overall draft pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, and it’s the same reason why he was ranked as high as the #8 overall prospect in baseball during his MiLB career - because the tall righty is really, really good.

Taillon’s potential was on full display on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, as he shut the whole damn team out in a complete game effort.

Tyler Mahle needed nearly 30 pitches to get through the 1st inning, but settled in for a bit after that. Things changed drastically when the heart of the Pittsburgh lineup came through the third time, however, and Mahle’s wheels fell off. He was touched up for 5 runs in total - 4 in the 5th inning - as homers from Gregory Polanco and Corey Dickerson came off a few over-the-plate meatballs. His his final line: 4.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, BB, 2 K on exactly 100 pitches.

While the loss was certainly frustrating, likely the most important long-term news is that Eugenio Suarez was hit by a pitch on his right hand and broke his damn thumb. It’s broken. We’re broken. 3B Alex Blandino was immediately pulled from the Louisville Bats game after news broke.

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Amir Garrett took over for Mahle, and was as good as we’ve all hoped he could be. Routinely sitting 95-96 mph with his fastball, Garrett fired 2.1 innings of scoreless 1 hit ball, notching a K while walking nobody. That was clearly the highlight of the day.

Honorable Mention is due to: Mahle, who got the team’s only hit of the day.

Key Plays

• Taillon helped himself in the Bottom of the 2nd, as he singled into RF after Jordy Mercer doubled to the wall in CF in front of him, and that plated the first Pirate run. Reds trailed, 1-0.
• Polanco and Dickerson both turned on hanging breaking balls in the Bottom of the 5th, with both lefties smashing homers over the tall wall in RF. Polanco’s scored Josh Harrison, and after Starling Marte doubled and scored on a Josh Bell single, Dickerson mashed his. Reds trailed, 5-0.
• That was it. Reds lost, again.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• I don’t believe that teams can be cursed. I don’t believe that teams can be cursed. I don’t believe that teams can be cursed. I don’t believe that teams can be cursed...
• Cody Reed will get the start for the Reds on Monday night in Philadelphia, as they’ll cross Pennsylvania to take on the Phillies for their next venture. He’ll be opposed by former Cincinnati farmhand Ben Lively, who was shipped out in the Marlon Byrd trade that never made any sense whatsoever. First pitch Monday is set for 7:05 PM ET.
• Tunes.